Lieutenant Willstead Character Analysis in The Lieutenant

Willstead is one of Rooke's fellow lieutenants in New South Wales. He's openly ambitious, which rubs everyone the wrong way. He often eagerly tries to earn Governor Gilbert's favor, but Gilbert regularly and methodically ignores Willstead in favor of Silk. Willstead believes that Gilbert should take harsh and violent action against the natives, and doesn't think very highly of the natives in general.

Lieutenant Willstead Character Timeline in The Lieutenant

The timeline below shows where the character Lieutenant Willstead appears in The Lieutenant. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Imperialism, Racism, and Morality Theme Icon

...in the boat and watches Governor Gilbert sitting in the front. Silk and another lieutenant, Willstead, sit behind the governor. Willstead is obviously and obnoxiously ambitious, and the governor regularly addresses... (full context)

Language, Communication, and Friendship Theme Icon

Willstead offers to run after the natives, but Gilbert ignores him and commands Gardiner to continue... (full context)

Individuality vs. Communality Theme Icon

...When Gilbert notices Rooke watching, he explains that Brugden was an exceptional gamekeeper in England. Willstead asks what will happen if Brugden wanders off, and Gilbert snappily asks where Brugden could... (full context)

...and five eighths miles. When he tells Silk, Silk is delighted. Silk tries to get Willstead to share in his delight, but Willstead is too engrossed in tending to his blisters.... (full context)

...A few officers suggest that Gilbert shouldn't have captured the native men, while Lennox and Willstead insist that the governor should make a grander display of his force. Rooke fears that... (full context)

Willstead comes up next to Rooke and Silk and comments that the "savages" are dirty. The... (full context)

...and Silk assures everyone that Governor Gilbert is considering what should be done. Rooke sees Willstead roll his eyes, and Willstead quietly asks how long the governor will wait to punish... (full context)

Willstead begins an angry tirade about how the natives never fight fairly. He insists that the... (full context)

Silk says that he told Gilbert that Rooke would certainly join the expedition, along with Willstead and 30 privates. Rooke tries to imagine them all marching through the woods, but cannot... (full context)

At the parade ground the next morning, Rooke and Willstead listen to Silk enthusiastically describe his plan to trap the natives on a promontory. Rooke... (full context)

...points to the water and yells that there's a native there. Silk tells Rooke and Willstead not to look. Willstead is confused and begins to prepare his gun, but Silk snaps... (full context)

Willstead reminds Silk that they're supposed to capture male natives, but Silk snaps that they can... (full context)

Warungin follows the soldiers back to their campsite, but disappears soon after they arrive. Willstead remarks that Warungin is nice enough, but all the natives are unreliable. Warungin returns a... (full context)

Silk, Willstead, Rooke, and Warungin sit together by the fire quietly while the 30 privates throw a... (full context)

Rooke looks back to Willstead and Warungin at the fire, trying to talk about something. He wonders how you cut... (full context)

...his blanket like the others. He waits until he hears Silk's breathing even out and Willstead start snoring, and then gathers his pack. He starts walking towards Sydney. He reaches the... (full context)